The next responsibility is to take part in gatherings in which the merits of Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf) are mentioned or in which his noble ancestors are remembered. We must be present in such gatherings and through our presence, offer a spiritual gift to these great personalities and make such programs dynamic as this is one of the signs of true love for our Imam.
A companion narrated that Imam Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir (as) said:
أَتَخْلُونَ وَ تَتَحَدَّثُونَ وَ تَقُولُونَ مَا شِئْـتُمْ؟ فَقُلْتُ: أَيِّ وَ اللٌّهِ… فَقَالَ : أَمَا وَ اللٌّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ تِلْكَ الْمَوَاطِنِ أَمَا وَ اللٌّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ رِيْحَكُمْ وَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ وَ أَنَّكُمْ عَلى دِينِ اللٌّهِ وَ دِينِ مَلاَئِكَتِهِ فَأَعِينُوا بِوَرَعٍ وَ اجْتِهَادٍ
“Do you seclude yourselves and speak to one another about whatever pleases you (in regards to the teachings of Allah)?” I replied: “Yes, by Allah.” The Imam replied: “I swear by Allah that surely I would love to be with you in some of these gatherings.
Surely, by Allah I love the pleasant aroma that emanates from you (by holding such gatherings) and I love your souls! Surely you are all on the religion of Allah and the religion of His Angels so help (one another) to observe piety and struggle (in these regards).”1
- 1.al-Kafi, vol. 2, pg. 187, no. 5